30 Escalate

[Francine's POV]

"How did it come to this?" I muttered as I looked upon the dozens of lying bodies of men groaning in pain as I turned my sights towards the man responsible for their state. I was sent here by my father to try to save the hide of the third son of Baron Van Daleen even if he was known as a wastrel in the circle of nobles.

My father also tasked me in looking for information of this local lord which was rumored to be a very competent warrior. She remembered about how concerned her father was as he said he couldn't get any information about this man other than the rumors around. This made her aware that whoever this man is he is quite competent in handling this small town.

The last lord was just a fat merchant who was able to buy the position from the count of this region, even if her father didn't like it. It was still within the power of the count that even the Duke couldn't overpower, but the warherd attack gave chance as it was the duties of the Duke to promote meritorious awards to heroic feats.

Thus the immediate promotion of this guy, which was supposed to be contacted by the spies of his father yet somehow he was able to avoid them including spies of other people. Thus when he heard of the detaining incident he sent he here to give the personal letter as well as the title certificate approved by the Duke of the Land. This was supposed to be a simple political meeting but why did these idiots ruin it!?

[5 minutes earlier]

[General POV]

"Lady Francine isn't that quite an accusation?" said the commander raising an eyebrow. "You are not in the position to question the Baron if he is oblivious or not. And you Signeur Johnson, for calling the third son of the Baron a piece of Sh*t, you shall be arrested and trialed immediately in the Baron's name." The commander was indeed born a commoner but being in his position in Marienberg, a place mostly run by wealthy merchant families.

He has little respect to other nobles as he had seen other nobles with higher positions than their lord act timid just to earn a little bit of slice of the large pie in the trades that Marienberg holds. Even the Duke of Mousillon who was known to have little power in his lands as his other vassals even don't give him their taxes by giving various reasons.

Lady Francine noticed this and bit her lips, true it was known that their Ducal is going under as the nobles in this land were all driven with greed and selfishness. They just don't show it publicly but her family's power is indeed declining. Thus her Father resorted to throwing Parties every two fortnights to show their family is strong and still fine. But the truth is that they would run out of funds in four months if this goes on.

"It isn't an accusation but a question fool and arrest me? It seems living a comfortable life made you forget where you are for a minute? You are in Brettonia man of the empire, we are raised with codes of chivalry within our veins. So try and arrest me then we'll see what will happen, commander." Mark stressed the last word as he walked face to face against the arrogant fool.

Lady Francine saw that there were now various shadows hidden from the sight of the other group. But as she was about to stop them, the commander did something shocking. He pulled a dagger out and pointed at Mark's throat while smiling.

"You are quite stupid in coming near me, I was nicknamed 'The Quickdraw' when I was a soldier. Coming close to me is a death sentence as you are striking distance from my dagger. Now tell your men to release the third son and come with us as you will be punished for your offences." The commander looked smug as he pressed the dagger in Mark's chin.

"What is the meaning of this commander? Who are you to take a noble of Bretonnia hostage?! Is your Duke ready for war?" Lady Francine was shocked and angry as this was an affront to the honor of the Duke's house especially when this is done in her presence.

"Is the Duke ready to lose the Loan that would be given to him by our Lord?" the commander sneered as he looked towards the first Daughter of the Beaumanior family. He licked his lips as she was indeed a beauty, others might not be aware of the situation of the Duke's family thus still fear them but he knew as he was a trusted confidant of the Baron.

Thus he was sent here, even if his men were looking uneasy at his actions he knew they would still follow his orders as they were elites of Marienberg. After this maybe he should cop a feel of the young lady and this made the commander more excited but Mark's voice pulled him back from dreamland.

"Quickdraw? Ah I remember, your wife said you were indeed a quick draw so she came to me for comfort." Mark said as he looked like he had an expression of realization.

"Huh?" The commander was confused as well as the others at first but soon they realized what Mark just said. Lady Francince as well as her handmaidens blushed as they realized what Mark meant while the commander was red in anger realizing he was just insulted in two ways. The commander's men also looked weird as they tried to hold their laughter in.

"You bastard! You want me to stab you in the gut?!" the commander yelled as he pressed his dagger a little harder on Mark's chin.

"That's what I asked you mother last night." Mark said which stunned the others again as they were not used to such ways of insulting others. Even the shadows and the guards who were ready to help Mark was stunned as they tried to hold back their laughs. But the giggles of the Handmaidens as well as Lady Francine broke the silence.

"You-you, DIE!!" the commander was infuriated as he pushed his hand forwards but he felt his grip was holding nothing but air. He looked at his hand that was now empty confused as to where the dagger was.

"Looking for this?" Mark showed the dagger in his hand twirling it as he had snatched it earlier when the man was stunned at his words. Sure the commander's stance was enough to tell he was an experienced fighter but Mark sparred with more masters in his last life to know how to disarm the guy easily.

"Hmmm?" Mark looked at the dagger at his hand and said." Such a small dagger, no wonder your wife looked for me." Mark was trying to break the psyche of the man in front of him as he knew that even if he was an experienced fighter, he could not come out unscathed fighting more than two dozen men by himself. But he needed to if his deductions from his early observation are correct.

"You shall pay for your tongue insolent bastard!" the commander was so mad right now from the provocation especially from the last one as it sounded like his manhood was being disdained. He knew his wife would not cheat on him but hearing insults like that towards his manhood made him lose his rationale.

Thus he charged towards Mark swinging his fist in anger. Mark caught it with his hands and twisted it instantly as the knife vanished while delivering a quick right punch towards the chin of the commander. This knocked out the man instantly as Mark then held his hand to swing the body using the momentum of his charge throwing it towards the men.

Mark has signaled to the Shadows he'll deal with It so they stayed put. The unconscious body hit about three men who were shocked at the sudden development of the situation.

"Die!" some woke instantly from their stupor as they charged at Mark to capture him. They knew negotiations failed so they opted for capturing the leader then threatening the subordinated for what they wanted. They did not notice that the guards of this place did not join at all at the fight as Mark ravaged towards the group of elite soldiers.

Mark at least had an easy time as the enemy did not draw swords seeing that he was unarmed. At least they had some decency to fight fair even if he was outnumbered. Thus his hand to hand combat techniques made short work of the foes that were now lying in the ground groaning in pain, Mark turned around and saw the stunned expressions of Lady Francine as well as her handmaidens and guards.

[Author: It's been awhile as I have gotten myself in an accident last week. Isn't that right, Right hand-Kun?

Right-hand nods.

Author: So anyways my left hand is still recuperating thus right hand-kun must decrease tiring actions for now like it was november. But he still tried his best to type this chapter alone, even of he is tired. Poor right hand-kun.

Right hand sobs tiredly.

Left hand pats Right hand: It's okay, i'll get better soon. Then I'll hold the phone then while you train.

Right hand: Get well soon Left-san.

Author: That's right heal fast Left hand-kun. So anywho I'm on medication so I'm a bit woozy in the head.

Left and Right hands nods in confirmation.

Author: So just enjoy the chapter and hope left gand-kun gets well soon , bye.]